Hydra ransomware

Hydra ransomware – malware that comes camouflaged as Mozilla Firefox

Hydra virus – ransomware that camouflages as the Mozilla Firefox process

Hydra virus – ransomware that camouflages as the Mozilla Firefox process

Hydra ransomware is a cyber infection that threatens victims to delete their files if they do not meet the ransom demands. The malware attack starts with a secret infiltration process through an infected email spam attachment or a cracked piece of software that the user has downloaded from a torrenting network. Afterward, Hydra virus runs the encryption module by using a cipher such as AES or RSA^[1] and targets all the data that is saved on the computer system.

Files that have been normally operating cannot be accessed properly anymore and end up with the .HYDRA appendix. Coming from the Jigsaw ransomware family, this malware displays a pop-up window that carries the ransom demands. The authors of the message say that they are interested in playing a game that includes deleting a few files the first day, a hundred the second day, and a few thousand the third day if the ransom demands are still not met.

Hydra ransomware is kind of delicate and requires only $10 of payment that is asked to be transferred via PayPal and by contacting crooks through [email protected] email address. The level of inexperience of the hackers is accurate as they urge for a payment in dollars that can easily get tracked.

Hydra ransomware attack starts with the modification of entries in the Windows Registry and by adding malicious processes to the Windows Task Manager section. The malware brings an executable to the system that allows to boot up its module every time when the computer is turned on. Some other features might allow the ransomware virus to scan the computer for encryptable files once in a while or even disable antivirus protection to avoid getting detected.

One of the most interest facts regarding Hydra ransomware is that it ends up on the computer as Mozilla Firefox, so you can mix it with your web browser and not know anything suspicious at first. However, when files are encrypted and the .HYDRA appendix is added, you will notice that something is wrong when you cannot properly load your files. Besides, you will also receive this ransom note in a pop-up window slightly after your data is locked with the cipher:

I want to play a game with you. Let me explain the rules:
Your personal files are being deleted. Your photos, videos, documents, etc…
But, don’t worry! It will only happen if you don’t comply.
However I’ve already encrypted your personal files, so you cannot access them.

Every hour I select some of them to delete permanently,
therefore I won’t be able to access them, either.
Are you familiar with the concept of exponential growth? Let me help you out.
It starts out slowly then increases rapidly.
During the first 24 hour you will only lose a few files,
the second day a few hundred, the third day a few thousand, and so on.

If you turn off your computer or try to close me, when I start next time
you will get 1000 files deleted as a punishment.
Yes you will want me to start next time, since I am the only one that
is capable to decrypt your personal data for you.

Now, let’s start and enjoy our little game together!

Bitcoin address: 1Hd3tU8MDmuVotMgGJTJ7svzvPey6bfUgm

Please, send at least 10$ worth of money here: [email protected] using PayPal.

Most of the time malicious actors urge for some type of digital currency payment such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Monero. However, Hydra ransomware developers do not seem to bother and go straight for a simple PayPal transfer. However, by asking for $10 as the ransom demand, these people risk exposing themselves for such as small price when cryptocurrency transfers ensure the anonymity of both sides and the criminals stay untrackable. 

You should not agree to play the game with these criminals and not get scared because of their promised punishment to eliminate 1000 files if you turn off the computer. Also, you should avoid paying the demanded ransom price even though it is not a big amount. If you transfer the money, you will let the crooks win. Better show these people that you are not scared of them, you can defeat Hydra ransomware and you will search for alternative data recovery solutions.

Hydra ransomware is a family member of Jigsaw ransomware virus

Hydra ransomware is a family member of Jigsaw ransomware virus

Hydra ransomware might try to harden the file restoring process for you by eliminating the Shadow Volume Copies that are sometimes necessary for third-party data recovery software. Furthermore, the malicious infection might be programmed to damage the Windows hosts files to prevent you from accessing security-related websites. Do not forget to delete these files while dealing with the ransomware, otherwise, the access will still remain blocked.

When you see the first signs of infection that include encrypted files and the ransom note, you should hurry up and complete  Hydra ransomware removal as this malware might also be programmed to bring other virtual parasites such as trojans to the Windows computer system. If the file-encrypting threat has been blocking your antivirus, you can try diminishing these malicious changes with the help of Safe Mode with Networking.

You should rely on trustworthy and expert-tested antimalware tools that will properly remove Hydra ransomware for you. If you try to complete the elimination by yourself and leave any malicious content lurking on your computer system, the ransomware might return within the next time you start your computer. Also, if you have discovered any damage related to this cyber threat, you can try repairing the corrupted areas by employing software such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner .

Email spam and software cracks are the best malware distributors

Criminals who develop malware such as ransomware^[2] want to make sure that the infection reaches its target. For this purpose, they think of various distribution methods that might succeed. Cybersecurity specialists from NoVirus.uk^[3] have discovered that ransomware viruses are often spread via email spam.

The malicious payload comes included as an attachment to the message and reaches random people some of whom fall for believing in the received email as hackers pretend to be from reliable-looking companies such as FedEx or DHL and deliver some types of “important notices” that need to be opened immediately.

If you have received an email that you are not sure about, do not hurry to believe in it. First, check if the message is coming from an official address, then, check the entire content for possible grammar mistakes. Lastly, if you have already opted for the downloading process of the attachment, do not open the file without scanning it with reputable antimalware.

Furthermore, malicious payload is also distributed through torrenting networks such as eMule, BitTorrent, and The Pirate Bay. Crooks place the infectious content instead of a game crack,^[4] key generator, or as a fake setup and wait for some people to download it. Regarding this fact, get your software from well-known developers only.

The entire elimination process of Hydra ransomware and its malicious payload

Hydra ransomware might have scattered malicious content all over the Windows computer system that needs to be eliminated if you want to get rid of the malware properly. This includes cleaning infecting directories such as the Windows Task Manager, Registry, Control Panel, Desktop, and others.

Also, do not think about performing Hydra ransomware removal with the help of manual technique as this is not a possibility for such a case. The malware is a complex threat to deal with and you have to make sure that it is taken care of properly. Regarding this fact, you should employ only reliable antimalware software.

If you are having a hard time to remove Hydra ransomware from your device, boot it in Safe Mode with Networking and then try again. When the malware is completely gone, you should try searching for damaged areas with the help of SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes. If this software finds anything corrupted, try fixing the altered products with Reimage Reimage Cleaner .

Remove Hydra using Safe Mode with Networking

For diminishing malicious processes on the infected Windows computer system and deactivating the malicious cyber threat itself, you have to try to reboot your Windows computer in Safe Mode with Networking as shown in the below-provided guidelines

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Hydra removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Hydra using System Restore

If you have discovered rogue tasks and processes running on your Windows computer and you want to restore your device back to its previous state, System Restore might be a helpful feature in this case. If you do not know how to load this function, take a look below

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Hydra from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

.HYDRA files are a sign that Hydra ransomware has occupied your computer system and now is waiting for ransom payments. Rather than paying the cybercriminals and risking to get scammed, you should try some other data recovery alternatives like the ones that we have provided below.

If your files are encrypted by Hydra, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro software might be useful for file restoring

Using this tool can help you to recover at least some of your files. What you have to do is complete each step as required to reach the best results possible. However, there is no 100% guarantee that this piece of software will be successful as it was primarily developed for recovering deleted files

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Hydra ransomware;
• Restore them.

Use Windows Previous Versions feature for data recovery purposes

If the ransomware virus has encrypted your files, folders, and documents, this product might allow you to recover at least some of them. However, this piece of software might not operate correctly if you have not booted your computer in System Restore before the cyber attack emerged

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Shadow Explorer is also a data restoring product

You should try using this software if you got your files encrypted by the ransomware virus. Just make sure that the cyber threat has not deleted Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted files, otherwise, the program might not operate properly

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

The original .HYDRA files decrypter is still in the development mode

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Hydra and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes